In vitro mammalian cells, such as Caco-2 or MDCKII, are widely used in scientific research and drug discovery since they provide an infinite source of reliable testing conditions for experimental purposes previous to in vivo testing. Globalization has made it common to transport such cells in long distances shipments across other continents.
Cells are usually transported using low-temperature storage techniques, mainly cryovials on dry ice or in a liquid nitrogen vapor shipping vessel between different places at long distances. The hazardous nature of dry ice and liquid nitrogen and the associated high shipping cost pointedly limit their daily routine. Additionally, it is essential to consider that frozen-cell recovery techniques are complex.
Researchers have been seeking alternative long-distance transportation methods, like shipping cells in flasks filled with complete growth medium at ambient temperature. However, cell survival is compromised for shipments over 24 hours, relegating the method only to be used for local deliveries.
To create adequate long-term shipments conditions, ReadyCell researchers have developed a gelatinous cell culture medium that allows the transportation of in vitro cells using environmental conditions and standard shipping procedures, reducing shipment costs, and easing logistic processes.
ReadyCell’s Shipping Medium® consists of a semi-solid culture system particularly designed to preserve cells at room temperature (15-25ºC). The gelatinous medium maintains a suitable physicochemical environment, keeping adequate moisture conditions for cellular homeostasis and forming a protective cushion that protects cell integrity and functionality during long-distance shipments, and up to seven days! The medium is then easily liquified at 37ºC before continuing with your assay, using the cells as freshly isolated.
This patented novel approach allows researchers to exchange cells worldwide in optimal conditions and minimal time, optimizing scientific research.
In case you need more specialized information about our Shipping Medium®, contact reagents@readycell.com
References
Yang, Lingzhi, et al. “An agarose-gel based method for transporting cell lines.” Current chemical genomics 3 (2009): 50.
Wang, Junjian, et al. “Transporting cells in semi-solid gel condition and at ambient temperature.” PloS one 10.6 (2015).
Shipping Medium® Technical File. ReadyCell. 2015
Fabre, Myriam, et al. “Method of storing and/or transporting in vitro cell cultures.” U.S. Patent No. 8,900,842. 2 Dec. 2014.
